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Side Effects of Ketorolac
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As with any drug, there is the potential for serious side effects with ketorolac. Some serious side effects include (but are not limited to):
- Allergic reactions (such as swelling of the face or body, blisters, unexplained skin rash, wheezing, or difficultly breathing)
- Stomach or intestinal problems, including bleeding, ulcers, or a hole (known as a perforation)
- Liver damage, which can cause nausea, fatigue, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, and excessive tiredness
- Kidney problems, including kidney failure
- Fluid retention or unexplained weight gain
- Congestive heart failure.
Because ketorolac can increase the risk of major or life-threatening bleeding, contact your doctor immediately if you notice any unusual bleeding or have any of the following symptoms:
- Bloody nose
- Black, tarry stools
- Blood in the urine or stools
- Vomiting blood
- Red or purple spots on the skin.
During clinical studies, there were also some side effects that occurred rarely in people taking ketorolac. These side effects occurred in less than 1 percent of people. It is often difficult to tell whether these side effects are the result of the medication or something else. These possible rare side effects of ketorolac include (but are not limited to):
- Weight gain
- Fainting (syncope)
- Changes in appetite
- Rectal bleeding
- Hallucination
- Unusual thinking
- Dry mouth
- Breathing problems
- Problems with vision, including blurred vision
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Allergic reaction
- Hepatitis
- Asthma.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD